Universal web splicer

ABSTRACT

A universal tape applying apparatus for applying tape to both sides of a butt joint formed in a running web and between a new web and an expiring web. The apparatus includes a top tape applying roll assembly and a bottom tape applying roll assembly, each roll assembly having a tape roll in the form of a cylinder with a flat side or section on its outer periphery and a tape carrier spirally mounted on the remaining portion of the outer periphery of the tape roll at an angle conforming to the angle of the butt joint splice. The tape rolls are accelerated to the speed of the running web by air cylinders which are preloaded and pressurized to provide a thrust (torque) force to thereby accelerate the tape rolls to the speed of the running web. The air cylinder for the top tape roll is released on a given signal to provide a thrust force to the top tape roll through a pawl and ratchet assembly. Release of the air cylinder for the bottom tape roll is synchronized with the movement of the top tape roll through a mechanical linkage to provide a thrust force through a ratchet and pawl assembly.

March 7, 1972 VISCHULIS ETAL 3,647,600

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March 7, 1972 UNIVERSAL -WEB SPLICER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 20, 1970 vnveN-roes GEOEGE' V/s car/(.15 Carna e; K. 560L414 ZF/JZQ -r'ronuemr United States Patent 01 fice 3,647,600 Patented Mar. 7, 1972 U.S. Cl. 156504 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A universal tape applying apparatus for applying tape to both sides of a butt joint formed in a running web and between a new web and an expiring web. The apparatus includes a top tape applying roll assembly and a bottom tape applying roll assembly, each roll assembly having a tape roll in the form of a cylinder with a flat side or section on its outer periphery and a tape carrier spirally mounted on the remaining portion of the outer periphery of the tape roll at an angle conforming to the angle of the butt joint splice. The tape rolls are accelerated to the speed of the running web by air cylinders which are preloaded and pressurized to provide a thrust (torque) force to thereby accelerate the tape rolls to the speed of the running Web. The air cylinder for the top tape roll is released on a given signal to provide a thrust force to the top tape roll through a pawl and ratchet assembly. Release of the air cylinder for the bottom tape roll is synchronized with the movement of the top tape roll through a mechanical linkage to provide a thrust force through a ratchet and pawl assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In apparatus presently being used for forming a butt joint splice in a running web, as shown in the Zernov et al. Pat. No. 3,276,710, issued Oct. 4, 1966, the top splicing tape for securing the new Web to the old or expiring Web is manually secured to the new web, specifically to the knife which is used to cut the expiring Web. The bottom splicing tape is then automatically applied to the butt joint in the running web after the knife has been removed by moving a vacuum type tape supporting roll into contact with the running web. This tape roll is actuated by the frictional engagement of the roll with the running web. This type of apparatus can be used only in a system where the new web roll rotates in the same direction. If it is desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the new web roll in order to place the outside surface of the new web on the top of the running web, the splice must be made by hand. The make ready procedure is also more complicated since the splicing tape is located on the knife and must be secured to the inside of the new Web and the knife located on the outside, with the adhesive surface of the splicing tape facing outward for engagement with the running web. Special mounting procedures are required in order to secure the top splicing tape to the lead edge of the new web.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The tape applying apparatus of this invention can be used in a universal type butt joint splicing device as shown in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 2,277, filed I an. 12, 1970, to Maas, and assigned to the same assignee. In this type of butt splicing device, a set of directional belts are provided adjacent the roll stand to control the direction of motion of the lead edge of the new Web in its movement into engagement with the old or expiring web. The make-ready procedure for preparing the new roll for splicing is simplified since the knife is the only member that is attached to the lead edge of the new web. The tape rolls are accelerated to the speed of the running web by an adjustable torsional force to accurately coordinate the engagement of the splicing tape with the butt joint. This is particularly significant at higher web speeds which are possible with this apparatus. An improved tape carrier is also provided for holding the splicing tape on the tape roll.

Other advantages and objects will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a universal butt splicing assembly showing the relation of the universal tape applying apparatus to the entire assembly;

FIG. 2 is a view partly broken away showing the assembly for actuating the tape roll assemblies for the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation of the accelerating assembly for the top tape roll assembly in the tripped position;

FIG. 4 is an end view in section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3 and enlarged to show the ratchet and pawl assembly;

FIG. 5 is a section view in elevation of the top and bottom tape assemblies;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the tape rolls;

FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of the running Web showing the relation of the knife to the new web and the expiring web;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the adjustable mounting assembly for the tape carrier;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the adjustable mounting assembly shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the air cylinder for the release mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The tape applying apparatus 10 of this invention is used in a universal type butt joint splicer to automatically apply tape to both sides of a butt joint splice. A universal type splicer generally includes a roll stand 12 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,929,572, issued Mar. 22, 1960 and a directional belt assembly 14 as disclosed in the co-pending application Ser. No. 2,277, filed Jan. 12, 1970, to Maas, and assigned to the same assignee. The roll stand 12 includes an expiring roll 16 and a new roll 18 mounted for rotation on each end of roll carrying arms 20. The running or expiring web 15 from the expiring roll 16 is threaded through the directional belt assembly 14 into the tape applying apparatus 10.

The leading edge of the new web 24 on the new roll 18 is prepared for splicing to the expiring or running web 15 by securing a knife 26 to one side of the web 24 coincident with the leading edge. An adhesive is provided on the knife 26 to initially secure the new web 24 to the running web 15. The knife 26 should be so located that after the new web 24 passes through the directional belt assembly 14, the knife 26 will be located between the web 24 and the expiring web 15 as seen in FIG. 7.

The new roll 18 is accelerated by a roll accelerator 28 to a peripheral speed substantially equal to the speed of the running web 15 when the splice is to be made with the running web. The web 24 with the knife 26 attached is then pressed against the running Web 15 by the directional belt assembly 14 to secure the new web 24 to the expiring Web 15. The procedure for securing the knife 26 to the web 24 and for securing the new web 24 to the running web 15 is more fully disclosed in co-pending application, Ser. No. 2,277, filed Jan. 12, 1970, to Maas, and assigned to the same assignee.

In accordance with the invention, splicing tape 30 is applied to both sides of the butt joint splice formed in the running web by means of the tape applying apparatus 10 which includes a frame or stand 31 having a pair of side plates 32 for supporting a first means for applying tape to thetop of the splice and a second means for applying tape 30 to the bottom of the splice. More specifically, the first means for applying tape 30 to the butt joint in the running web 15 includes a tape roll assembly 34 and a nip roll assembly 36 supported between the side plates 32. The tape roll assembly 34 includes a cylindrical tape roll 38 having a flat side or section 40 and a tape carrier 64 mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the tape roll. The roll 38 is mounted on a shaft 39 (FIG. 4) which is journalled in bearings 41 provided in the side plates 32.

The tape carrier 64 as seen in FIG. 6 is formed of a flexible metallic strip having a transverse slot 65 and a key slot 66 at each end. The tape carrier 64 is prepared for splicing by laying the tape 30 on the carrier with the adhesive surface facing outward so that it is exposed and inserting the ends of the splicing tape 30 through the slots 65. The ends of the tape 30 will adhere to the inside surface of the carrier 64 outwardly of slots 65. The tape can be perforated adjacent each of the slots 65 to aid in releasing thea tape from the carrier by causing the tape to tear along the entry slot 65 when applied to the running web 15.

The tape carrier 64 is retained on the tape roll 38 by meansof a fixed pin 44 and a movable pin (FIGS. 6, 8 and 9). In this last regard, the tape roll 38 is provided with a bracket 42 at one end for the fixed pin 44 and a bracket 46 at the other end for the movable pin 50. The movable pin 50 is mounted on a movable slide block assembly 48 as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9 which includes a slide block 52 slideably mounted on the mounting bracket 46 and retained thereon by guides 54. The slide block 52 is biased outwardly from the tape roll 38 by means of a compression spring 56 positioned between the lower end of pin 50 and a fixed block 58 mounted on the bracket 46. The slide block 52 is moved inwardly against the bias of spring 56 by means of a lever 60 pivotally secured to the bracket 46 by a pin 62. The lever 60 is pushed toward the tape roll 38 to move the slide block 52 against the bias of spring 56.

The tape carrier 64 is mounted on the tape roll 38 by positioning one of the key slots 66 on the fixed pin 44 and wrapping the carrier spirally around the outer surface of the tape roll 38 until the pin 44 is seated in the narrow portion of the key slot 66.'Lever 60 is pushed toward the tape roll 34 to move the block 52 against spring 56 far enough for the pin 50 to be inserted into the key slot 66 at the other end of the tape roll 38. On release of the lever 60, the spring 56 will move the block 52 outward until the pin 50 seats in the narrow end of the key slot 66.

The running web 15 is moved into the path of motion of the periphery of the tape roll 38 prior to applying the tape to the splice by means of the nip roll assembly 36. More particularly, the nip roll assembly 36 includes a nip roll 68 journalled for rotation on a pair of arms 70 which are pivotally secured to the side plates 32. An air cylinder 72 mounted on side plate 32 is used to move the arms 70 and nip roll 68 upwardly toward the tape roll. Movement of the arms 70 is limited by means of an adjustable limit stop 74 mounted on the side plate 32. The limit stop 74 includes a screw 75 mounted in a block 77 and is adjusted to accurately locate the nip roll 68 with respect to the tape roll 38. It is important that there be sufiicient pressure applied to the running web 15 when the tape 30 is applied to the running web to assure that the tape will adhere to the butt joint.

Clearance is provided between the tape roll 38 and the nip roll 68 until the tape 30 is applied to the splice by means of the flat side or section 40 on the tape roll. The tape roll 38 is held in a fixed position as more specifically 4 described hereinafter with. the flat side 40 parallel to the running web 15 to provide clearance for the running web 15 until the splice is to be made between the new web 24 and the running web 15.

The tape roll 38 is accelerated to the speed of the running web 15 as seen in FIG. 2 by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly 76 and an air cylinder assembly 78 pro-,

vided on one end of the tape roll 38. It should be understood that the peripheral speed of the tape roll 38 must be substantially the same as the speed of the running web 15 in order for the tape 30 to be accurately located on the butt joint splice. The roll 38 must be accelerated to this speed in the time that it takes the tape roll 38 to move the short distance from the edge 80 of the flat section 40 to the beginning of the tape 30 on the tape carrier 64 which is mounted on the outer periphery of the tape roll 38.

The ratchet and pawl assembly 76 as seen in FIGS. 2 through 4 includes a ratchet wheel 82 having a single tooth 83 secured to the shaft 39 of the tape roll 38 and a pawl 84 pivotally connected to a bell crank 86 journalled for rotation on shaft 39. The bell crank 86 is formed by a pair, of plates 88 journalled for rotation on bearings 90 mounted on the shaft 39 of the tape roll 38 and has a cam block 91 having a notch 128 secured to the lower end of the plates 88. The pawl 84 is located between the plates 88 and is pivotally mounted on a pin 92 in a position to engage the one tooth 83 on the ratchet wheel 82. Movement of the bell crank 86 clockwise in FIG. 2 will impart a clockwise rotary motion to the tape roll 38 by the engagement of the pawl 84 with tooth 83. Once the accelerating motion is imparted to the tape roll 38, the tape roll will be free to rotate with the running web 15.

Rotary motion is imparted to the tape roll 38 through the bell crank 86 and ratchet and pawl assembly 76 by means of the air cylinder assembly 78 which is connected to the bell crank 86. More specifically, the air cylinder assembly is in the form of a conventional Bendix Westinghouse Rotochamber which can be readily adjusted to provide the force required to accelerate the tape roll 38 in accordance with changes in web speed. This assembly 78 includes an air cylinder 79 mounted on a bracket 96 secured to the side plate 32 and a piston 94.

The acceleration of the tape roll 38 depends on the speed of the running web 15. The pressure of the air in the air cylinder 79 is adjusted to produce the required acceleration of the tape roll 38. At web speeds between 300 and 600 feet per minute, accuracy of acceleration is not as critical as at higher speeds and the pressure of the air in the air cylinder 79 can be set for a web speed of 450 feet per minute. At web speeds greater than 600 feet per minute, the pressure can be manually adjusted by the operator by merely reading the speed of the web on a speed indicator and setting the pressure of the air cylinder. Alternately, automatic pressure adjustment can he made by using a pneumatic transducer as disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 878,691, filed Nov. 21, 1969, to Vischulis and Sedlak and assigned to the same assignee. The transducer is used to automatically control the pressure of the air in the air cylinder 79.

On release of the bell crank 86, as explained more fully below, the full force of the pressure in the air cylinder 79 will be immediately imparted to the tape roll 38 through the bell crank 86 and the ratchet and pawl assembly 76. In regard to this last, the piston 94 is connected to the bell crank 86 by means of a block 98 pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 100 between the plates 88 of the bell crank. The rotary motion of the bell crank 86 is limited by means of a limit stop 102 in the form of an angle iron secured to the side plate 32 and positioned in the path of motion of the block 98. The bell crank 86 will be held against the limit stop 102 until the pressure in the air cylinder 79 is released. The block 98 is free to pivot on the pin 100 to compensate for the arcuate motion of the bell crank 86.

Means are provided for holding the pawl 84 out of contact with the ratchet tooth 83 during the free rotation of the tape roll 38 with the running web 15. Such means is in the form of a pin 104 mounted for sliding movement in a bracket 106 secured to the side plate 32 and pivotally connected to the end of the pawl 84 by means of a pin 108. The bracket 106 is pivotally mounted on a pin 107 on the side plate 32 to compensate for the angular change in direction of movement of the pin 104 due to the arcuate movement of the pawl 84. The movement of the pin 104 through the bracket 106 is limited by means of a spring 110 provided on the end of the pin 104 and retained thereon by a nut 112.

Means are provided for releasing the accelerating means in timed sequence with the movement of the knife 26 with the running web 15. Such means is in the form of an air cylinder device 116 positioned to release a cam idler 122 from the locking notch 128 in the cam block 91. The air cylinder 116 is actuated by a sensor 114 located in a position to sense the magnetic material of the knife 26. The signal from the sensor 114 is used to trigger an air cylinder 116 to release the bell crank 86. The operation of the sensor 114 can be essentially the same as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,710.

Where greater accuracy is required, particularly at higher web speeds, a computerized electronic circuit can be used to automatically control the time delay between sensing of the knife and actuation of the air cylinder. This circuit will continuously sense web speed and automatically compute the time it will take the knife to move into the top tape assembly 34.

The air cylinder 116 is a conventional Bimba type air cylinder having a cylinder 118 and a piston 120 positioned to engage the end of a cam roller support arm 122. The support arm 122 is normally biased by a spring 124 to hold a cam roller 126 against the notch 128 provided in the cam block 91 on the bell crank 86. When the air cylinder 116 is pressurized, the piston 120 will be driven into engagement with the arm 122 to move the cam roller 126 away from the notch 128 in the cam block 91. This will allow the force of the air cylinder 79 to be released and applied directly to the tape roll 38 through the bell crank 86 and ratchet and pawl assembly 76.

Means are provided for removing the knife 26 from the running web after the tape has been applied to the upper surface of the splice. Such means is essentially the same as shown in the Zernov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,710 and includes a roller 130 supported on a pair of arms 132 for movement around a shaft 134 from an inoperative position, shown dotted in FIG. 5, to an operative position, shown dotted in FIG. 2, in the path of motion of the running Web 15. The arms 132 are rotated by means of an air cylinder 136 secured to the side plates 32 and connected to a crank arm 138 secured to the shaft 134. The running web 15 is brought downward into engagement with a nip roll 140 mounted on a pair of arms 142 pivotally connected to the side plates 32 and biased by a spring 144 toward the roller 130. The knife 26 is removed from the running web 15 by an angle iron bar 146 mounted on the side wall 32 which engages the outer end of the knife 26 to start the cut across the expiring web. The sharp angle around the roller 130 will cause the knife 26 to cut across the entire Width of the expiring web, as more fully described in the Zernov et al. U.S. Pat. 3,276,710.

The means for applying tape 30 to the bottom of the running web after the knife 26 has been removed is in the form of a tape roll assembly 148 and a nip roll assembly 150 mounted on the side plates 32. The tape roll assembly 148 is similar to the tape roll assembly 34 and includes a tape roll 38a having a flat side a and a tape carrier 64a. The splicing tape 30 is mounted on the tape carrier 64a as described above and is applied to the bottom of the splice. It should be noted however that the tape carrier 64a is spirally wound around the tape roll 38a in the reverse direction. Since the bottom tape roll rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the bottom splicing tape must be located that its leading edge will engage the splice first.

The nip roll assembly includes a nip roll 68a journalled for rotation in bearings 149 which are mounted on a bearing disc 147 eccentrically secured to the shaft 134 for the roller 130. Whenever the roller 130 is moved to the position for removing the knife 26 from the running Web 15, the nip roll 68a will be moved to a position adjacent the flat side 40a on the tape roll 38a.

Means are provided for accelerating the tape roll 38a in the assembly 148 in a counter-clockwise direction or in the opposite direction of the tape roll 38 in the asmembly 34 as indicated by arrows 152 and 154, respectively. Such means is essentially the same as described in connection with the tape roll assembly 34 and includes a pawl and ratchet assembly 76a and an air cylinder assembly 78a. All the parts of the accelerating means which are the same as used in assembly 34 are numbered the same, however, it should be understood that the parts are reversed to provide counter-clockwise rotation to the tape roll 38a.

Means are provided for locking the bell crank 86a in a fixed position in the form of a cam roller 151 mounted on a support arm 153 having an impact plate 159. The support arm 153 is pivotally mounted on a pin 157 secured to the side plates 32 and is biased into engagement with the lock notch 128a in the cam block 91a by a spring 155.

The timing for the actuating of the tape roll 38a to apply the tape to the bottom of the butt joint splice is provided by means of a mechanical linkage 156 provided between the tap roll assembly 34 and the tape roll assembly 148 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. More particularly, the linkage 156 includes a rod or link 158 mounted for linear movement on a pair of brackets 160 mounted on the side plates 32. One end of the link 158 is positioned to engage the impact plate 159 and the other end is provided with an ampact block 166. The link 158 is biased toward the tape roll assembly 34 by a spring 162 positioned between one of the brackets 160 and a collar 164 secured to the link 158. The link 158 is driven toward the plate 159 by means of a shoe 165 provided on the end of an arm 168 secured to the shaft 39 for the nip roll 38. The shoe 165 is positioned to strike the impact block 166 provided on the end of the link 158. Link 158 will be driven against the plate 159 releasing cam roller 151 from the bell crank 86 and allowing the air cylinder assembly 78 to impart a counterclockwise rotation to the tape roll 38a. It is also possible to release the cam roller 151 from the bell crank 86a by using a signal from the computerized sensor as disclosed in patent application, Ser. No. 878,691.

Means are provided for holding the link 158 against the impact plate 159 so that the impact block 166 is not in path of motion of the shoe 165. Such means is in the form of a latch 170 pivotally mounted on a pin 172 secured to the side plate 32 and biased by an air cylinder 174 into engagement with a collar 176 on link 158. When the link 158 is driven against the impact plate 159, the latch 170 will engage collar 176 holding the link 158 against the plate 159 and cam 151 clear of notch 128a. The tape roll 38a will be free to rotate with the running web 15.

After the splice has been completed, the air cylinders 72 and 136 will be de-pressurized to move the nip rolls 70 and 150 away from the tape rolls 38 and 38a, respectively. The Rotochambers 78 and 78a will remain pressurized in order to hold the \pawls 84 and 84a out of the path of motion of the ratchet wheels 82 and 82a, respectively. The tape rolls 38 and 38a can then be rotated freely by hand while new tape carriers are mounted on the outer surface of the tape rolls 38 and 38a. As soon as both tape carriers have been mounted on the tape rolls, the tape rolls are rotated to a position with the flat sections 40 and 40a parallel to the running web 15. The Rotochambers are then de-pressurized to allow the pawls 84 and 84a to seat in the teeth 83 and 83a of the ratchet wheel. Air cylinders 118 and 174 are also de-pressurized to allow the cam rollers 126 and 151 to engage and lock the bell cranks 86 and 86a in position. The Rotochambers 78 and 7811 are then repressurized and the apparatus is ready to apply tape to a new splice.

OPERATION The operation of the apparatus will now be described. However, it must be assumed that the knife 26 has been mounted on the new web 24 as described in the copending application, Ser. No. 2,277, filed Jan. 12, 1970, to Maas, and assigned to the same assignee.

The splicing tape 30 is placed on the tape carriers 64 and 64a by inserting the ends of the tape 30 through the slots 65 and 65a in the tape carriers. The tape carriers 64 and 64a are mounted on each of the tape rolls 38 and 38a by inserting the fixed pins through the keyholes 66 and 66a and spirally winding the tape carriers around the tape rolls until the movable pins can be inserted into keyholes 66 and 66a at the other end of the tape carriers. The tape carriers are biased into tight engagement with the outer periphery of the tape rolls by means of the springs 56. The tape rolls are then rotated until the flat sides 40 and 40a are located in parallel relation to the plane of motion of the running web 15. The pawls 84 and 84a are seated in the ratchet wheels 82 and 82a and the cams 122 and 151 seated in the notches 128 and 128a in the cam blocks 91 and 91a to lock the bell cranks 86 and 86a in position. The air pressure in air cylinder assemblies 78 and 78a is then brought up to approximately the desired pressure required to accelerate the tape rolls 38 and 38a. Both of the tape roll assemblies 34 and 148 are now ready to apply tape to the splice in the running web 15.

When the new web 24 is to be spliced to the old or running web 15, the new roll 18 is accelerated to the speed of the running web. The new web 24 with its knife 26 attached is then secured to the running web by the directional belt assembly 14 as described in the co-pending application, Ser. No. 2,277, filed Jan. 12, 1970, to Maas, and assigned to the same assignee. The air cylinders 72 and 136 are pressurized to move the nip rolls 68 and 68a and the running web 15 into the path of motion of the periphery of the tape rolls 38 and 38a. The sensor 114 will sense the knife 26 and trigger the air cylinder 116 to drive the piston 120 into engagement with the cam support arm 122 and release the cam 127 from the bottom of the bell crank 86. The force of the pressure of the air in air cylinder 79 will be released and applied directly to the bell crank 86 through piston 94 to rotate the tape.

roll 38 clockwise in FIG. 2 applying the tape to the top of the splice. The rotary movement of the tape roll 38 will bring the shoe 165 into engagement with impact block 166 on the link 158 driving the link 158 against the impact plate 159 on arm 153 to release the lock cam 151 from bell crank 86. This will release the force of the air pressure in the air cylinder 79a which is applied to bell crank 86:: producing a counter-clockwise rotation to the second tape roll 38a applying the tape 30 to the bottom of the splice in the running web 15. Both of the bell cranks 86 and 86a will be held against the stop blocks 102 and 102a until new tape carriers are mounted on the tape rolls 38 and 38a. Once the tape carriers have been properly mounted, the pressure of the air in air cylinders 118 and 174 will be released to allow the pawls 84 and 84a to reseat in the notches 83 and 83a in the ratchet wheels.

Rsum

The tape applying apparatus of this invention can be used to automatically apply tape to one or both sides of a butt joint splice in a running web. The tape roll accelerating system makes it possible to use this apparatus at higher running Web speeds. This is accomplished through the use of a torsional force to impart the initial motion to the tape rolls. The top and bottom tape applying assemblies are synchronized in this operation through a mechanical linkage in order to obtain accuracy in applying the tapes to the splice.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for applying splicing tape to a butt joint splice formed between old and new running webs, the new running web having a metal knife secured to the lead edge, said apparatus comprising,

means for applying tape to the top and bottom of the splice in the running web,

means for sensing the metal of the knife in the lead edge of said new running web,

and means for accelerating said tape applying means to the speed of the running web in response to the sensing means to apply the splicing tape on the butt joint formed between the running web and the new web.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said tape applying means includes a tape roll, a tape carrier removably mounted on the outer periphery of said tape roll for supporting the splicing tape.

3. An apparatus for applying splicing tape to a butt joint splice formed between old and new running webs, said apparatus comprising,

means for applying tape to the splice,

and means for accelerating said tape applying means to the speed of the running web prior to applying the splicing tape to the running Web, said accelerating means including a ratchet and pawl assembly operatively connected to said tape applying means and an air cylinder positioned to provide a rotary force to said ratchet and pawl assembly to accelerate said tape applying means to the speed of the running web.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said tape carrier comprises a flexible metal strip having a slot at each end to receive the ends of the splicing tape.

5. An apparatus for applying tape to a butt joint splice formed between old and new running webs, the new running web having a metal knife secured to the lead edge, said apparatus comprising,

means for sensing the knife on the lead edge,

first means for automatically applying tape to the top of the splice between the running web and the new web,

said first means including third means for accelerating the tape applying means to the speed of the running web in response to the sensing means,

and second means for automatically applying tape to the bottom of the splice between the running web and the new web, said second means including fourth means responsive to the motion of said first means for accelerating said second means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said fourth means includes a mechanical linkage for timing the actuating of said second tape applying means with the actuation of said first tape applying means.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said first and second means includes a tape roll assembly and a nip roll assembly for moving the running web into the path of motion of said tape roll.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein both of said accelerating means include a ratchet and pawl assembly operatively connected to said first and second means and an air cylinder positioned to provide a rotary force to the ratchet and pawl assembly to accelerate said first and second means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of said air cylinders is pressurized to provide a rotary force to the rachet and pawl assembly according to the speed of the running web.

10. An apparatus for applying splicing tape to a splice in a running web having a knife secured to the web to form a butt joint splice between an old and a new running web, said apparatus comprising,

means for sensing the metal of said knife,

a first tape roll assembly for applying tape to the top side of the splice in the running web,

a second tape roll assembly for applying tape to the bottom side of the splice in the running web, means for actuating said first tape roll assembly to apply the tape to one side of the splice in the running web in response to a signal from said sensing means,

means for removing the knife from the running web to cut the old web and from the splice, and

means for actuating the second tape roll assembly to apply tape to the bottom of the splice in the web after removing the knife.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each tape roll assembly includes a tape roll having a fiat side and a tape carrier wrapped around the outer periphery of the tape roll.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 including a ratchet and pawl assembly secured to each tape roll and an air cylinder operatively connected to each of said ratchet and pawl assemblies to impart a rotary motion References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,226,279 12/ 1965 Allen 156505 3,467,334 9/1969 Chesnut et al 156504 2,706,515 4/1955 Evers 156-505 X 2,745,464 5/1956 Auerbacher et al. 156-504 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner J. J. DEVITT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 156505, 502 

